The Association of Small Indigenous Peoples of the North KMNS Union has requested that the traditional fisheries procedure on the Taimyr Peninsula be explained in accordance with the rules for assigning fishing zones.

“The power to assign fishing grounds belongs to the region’s executive authorities. Therefore, we can apply directly to the Ministry of Environment and Rational Environmental Management of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. In addition, we would like the authorities to explain to all the ethnic communities on Taimyr their rights so that they can submit direct requests of the assignment of fishing grounds. We must wage an active awareness campaign in this regard,” said Antonina Gorbunova, head of the Executive Committee of the KMNS Union.

According to the association’s information, a relevant request would be submitted soon to the Krasnoyarsk Territory Ministry of Environment and Rational Environmental Management.

Sergei Sizonenko, Board Chair of the KMNS Union, said that although traditional fisheries are stipulated in the law, fishing grounds are not assigned to the indigenous communities on Taimyr. So, as a result, “indigenous communities have to take part in tenders for the assignment of fishing grounds on a par with large fishing companies,” despite their limited financial resources.

The Association of Small Indigenous Peoples of the North KMNS Union is planning to hold a seminar on the Taimyr devoted to the preservation and development of the indigenous people’s traditional fisheries.